Friday’s Top Stories
What’s happening around New Mexico August 16-22
City councilors debate over minimum wage for tipped workers
Scientist describe levels of plutonium near Los Alamos “alarmingly high”
Environmental Planning Commission votes on Westside airport expansion
Questa teen accused of murdering 13-year-old takes plea deal
4th & Central shooting suspect convicted
Was your data leaked in massive breach? How to know, and what to do now
Ukrainian officials urge civilians to evacuate eastern town of Pokrovsk
Friday’s Five Facts
[1] Research group pushes for uranium clean up on Navajo Nation – A group of researchers are putting pressure on lawmakers to clean up abandoned uranium mines in New Mexico. The Southwest Research and Information Center says there are more than 500 abandoned uranium mines on the Navajo Nation, dating back to the 1950’s. According to a study conducted with the help of UNM, those communities are still living with health issues linked to contamination. The group is urging lawmakers to allow waste left behind on the Navajo Nation to be disposed of outside of tribal land.
[2] Family of APD officer killed in hit-and-run grieve, urge driver to come forward – Friends, family and teammates are remembering an APD officer who was killed in a hit and run crash. BCSO says on Wednesday, just before 1 a.m. officer Bianca Quintana was off-duty and walking when she was struck and killed by a vehicle in the South Valley, near Coors and Chapulin. Quintana served in the Los Lunas Police department beginning in 2020 and then later started with APD in 2022. Quintana’s family is calling for the driver to turn themselves in. BCSO is investigating the crash.
[3] Record heat for some parts of New Mexico ahead – As temperatures across the region rise from the morning school commute into the high 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and above 100 degrees for more areas by the afternoon, some moisture in the air, along with plenty of daytime heating, will lead to slightly more areas receiving rainfall. Most will still remain rain-free this weekend with more stagnant air building in New Mexico.
[4] UNM C&J department boasts new streaming studio – UNM students will be enjoying some upgrades to the college’s student broadcast studio. The new studio includes cameras and equipment that can support live streams. Students will be able to create video productions that can be streamed live on YouTube and Facebook. The university plans to open the studio to all students, not just those in the communications and journalism department.
[5] Rainbow Ryders founder unexpectedly passes away at age 66 – Family, friends and the ballooning community are remembering the life and legacy of Rainbow Ryders founder and president, Scott Appleman. Appleman unexpectedly died from a heart attack Thursday. He founded Rainbow Ryders in 1983. He also had a big hand in the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, helping create the Balloon Glow and Special Shapes Rodeo.
